ESSENTIALS OF NURSING LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A new graduate nurse on a medical–surgical unit is asked to
accept a patient assignment that includes an unfamiliar
procedure rarely performed on the unit. The nurse recognizes
the limits of their competence. Which action best reflects
professional responsibility?
A. Accept the assignment and attempt the procedure using
online videos.
B. Ask the charge nurse to reassign the procedure to an
experienced nurse and volunteer to observe and follow up with
targeted learning.
C. Refuse the entire assignment and request a different unit.
,D. Perform the procedure and document that the patient
requested immediate care.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Choosing reassignment while volunteering to observe
and learn demonstrates professional accountability, respect for
scope of practice, and commitment to competence
development—core characteristics of a profession. It protects
patient safety and supports ongoing professional growth.
A: Learning only from online videos without supervision risks
patient safety and exceeds current competence.
C: Refusing the entire assignment is avoidance rather than
professional problem-solving; it may neglect patient needs.
D: Performing an unfamiliar procedure because of patient
urgency without appropriate competence breaches professional
standards and risks harm.
Teaching point
Prioritize patient safety by recognizing limits, seeking
supervision, and pursuing targeted learning.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse is mentoring an experienced LPN who questions
the value of professional associations. Which statement by the
charge nurse best aligns with the profession’s characteristic of
collective identity and advocacy?
A. “Professional associations are optional; your employer will
handle continuing education.”
B. “Joining professional associations helps nurses influence
policy, access continuing education, and strengthen the
profession’s voice.”
C. “You’ll gain more from social media groups than formal
associations.”
D. “Membership increases paperwork and has little effect on
clinical practice.”
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Emphasizing policy influence, continuing education,
and the profession’s collective voice reflects the chapter’s
characteristic that professions maintain a collective identity and
advocate for standards and public good.
A: Delegating professional development solely to employers
ignores the profession’s self-regulation and responsibility for
lifelong learning.
, C: Social media may supplement networking but does not
substitute for formal professional roles and standards.
D: Minimizes the role of professional associations in shaping
practice and policy.
Teaching point
Professional associations promote advocacy, standards, and
lifelong professional development.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During a multidisciplinary committee, a novice nurse manager is
asked to justify the nursing profession’s distinct knowledge
base. Which example best demonstrates nursing’s unique
contribution?
A. Advocating for longer visiting hours because nurses prefer
family involvement.
B. Using evidence-based assessment data to design a patient-
centered care plan that integrates physiology, psychology, and
social context.
C. Scheduling staff to match hospital convenience rather than
MANAGEMENT
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SALLY WEISS
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A new graduate nurse on a medical–surgical unit is asked to
accept a patient assignment that includes an unfamiliar
procedure rarely performed on the unit. The nurse recognizes
the limits of their competence. Which action best reflects
professional responsibility?
A. Accept the assignment and attempt the procedure using
online videos.
B. Ask the charge nurse to reassign the procedure to an
experienced nurse and volunteer to observe and follow up with
targeted learning.
C. Refuse the entire assignment and request a different unit.
,D. Perform the procedure and document that the patient
requested immediate care.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Choosing reassignment while volunteering to observe
and learn demonstrates professional accountability, respect for
scope of practice, and commitment to competence
development—core characteristics of a profession. It protects
patient safety and supports ongoing professional growth.
A: Learning only from online videos without supervision risks
patient safety and exceeds current competence.
C: Refusing the entire assignment is avoidance rather than
professional problem-solving; it may neglect patient needs.
D: Performing an unfamiliar procedure because of patient
urgency without appropriate competence breaches professional
standards and risks harm.
Teaching point
Prioritize patient safety by recognizing limits, seeking
supervision, and pursuing targeted learning.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
A charge nurse is mentoring an experienced LPN who questions
the value of professional associations. Which statement by the
charge nurse best aligns with the profession’s characteristic of
collective identity and advocacy?
A. “Professional associations are optional; your employer will
handle continuing education.”
B. “Joining professional associations helps nurses influence
policy, access continuing education, and strengthen the
profession’s voice.”
C. “You’ll gain more from social media groups than formal
associations.”
D. “Membership increases paperwork and has little effect on
clinical practice.”
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Emphasizing policy influence, continuing education,
and the profession’s collective voice reflects the chapter’s
characteristic that professions maintain a collective identity and
advocate for standards and public good.
A: Delegating professional development solely to employers
ignores the profession’s self-regulation and responsibility for
lifelong learning.
, C: Social media may supplement networking but does not
substitute for formal professional roles and standards.
D: Minimizes the role of professional associations in shaping
practice and policy.
Teaching point
Professional associations promote advocacy, standards, and
lifelong professional development.
Citation
Weiss, S. (2024). Essentials of Nursing Leadership &
Management (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Characteristics of a Profession
Stem
During a multidisciplinary committee, a novice nurse manager is
asked to justify the nursing profession’s distinct knowledge
base. Which example best demonstrates nursing’s unique
contribution?
A. Advocating for longer visiting hours because nurses prefer
family involvement.
B. Using evidence-based assessment data to design a patient-
centered care plan that integrates physiology, psychology, and
social context.
C. Scheduling staff to match hospital convenience rather than
